1 Samuel 13:6 Seeing that they were in danger because their troops were hard-pressed, the men of Israel hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in cellars and cisterns.

◄ 1 Samuel 13:6 ►

New International Version
When the Israelites saw that their situation was critical and that their army was hard pressed, they hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in pits and cisterns.

New Living Translation
The men of Israel saw what a tight spot they were in; and because they were hard pressed by the enemy, they tried to hide in caves, thickets, rocks, holes, and cisterns.

English Standard Version
When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were hard pressed), the people hid themselves in caves and in holes and in rocks and in tombs and in cisterns,

Berean Standard Bible
Seeing that they were in danger because their troops were hard-pressed, the men of Israel hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in cellars and cisterns.

King James Bible
When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.

New King James Version
When the men of Israel saw that they were in danger (for the people were distressed), then the people hid in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in holes, and in pits.

New American Standard Bible
When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were hard-pressed), then the people kept themselves hidden in caves, in crevices, in cliffs, in crypts, and in pits.

NASB 1995
When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait (for the people were hard-pressed), then the people hid themselves in caves, in thickets, in cliffs, in cellars, and in pits.

NASB 1977
When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait (for the people were hard-pressed), then the people hid themselves in caves, in thickets, in cliffs, in cellars, and in pits.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait (for the people were hard-pressed). Then the people hid themselves in caves, in thickets, in cliffs, in cellars, and in pits.

Amplified Bible
When the men of Israel saw that they were in a tight situation (for their troops were hard-pressed), they hid in caves, in thickets, in cellars, and in [dry] cisterns (pits).

Christian Standard Bible
The men of Israel saw that they were in trouble because the troops were in a difficult situation. They hid in caves, in thickets, among rocks, and in holes and cisterns.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The men of Israel saw that they were in trouble because the troops were in a difficult situation. They hid in caves, thickets, among rocks, and in holes and cisterns.

American Standard Version
When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait (for the people were distressed), then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in coverts, and in pits.

Contemporary English Version
The Israelite army realized that they were outnumbered and were going to lose the battle. Some of the Israelite men hid in caves or in clumps of bushes, and some ran to places where they could hide among large rocks. Others hid in tombs or in deep dry pits.

English Revised Version
When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in holds, and in pits.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When the Israelites saw they were in trouble because the army was hard-pressed, they hid in caves, in thorny thickets, among rocks, in pits, and in cisterns.

Good News Translation
Then they launched a strong attack against the Israelites, putting them in a desperate situation. Some of the Israelites hid in caves and holes or among the rocks or in pits and wells;

International Standard Version
When the men of Israel saw that they were in distress (for the people were in a tight spot), the people hid themselves in caves, in thickets, in crags, in tombs, and in pits.

Majority Standard Bible
Seeing that they were in danger because their troops were hard-pressed, the men of Israel hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in cellars and cisterns.

NET Bible
The men of Israel realized they had a problem because their army was hard pressed. So the army hid in caves, thickets, cliffs, strongholds, and cisterns.

New Heart English Bible
When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were in a difficult situation), then the people hid themselves in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in pits and cisterns.

Webster's Bible Translation
When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait (for the people were distressed) then the people hid themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.

World English Bible
When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were distressed), then the people hid themselves in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in tombs, and in pits.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And the men of Israel have seen that they are distressed, that the people have been oppressed, and the people hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.

Young's Literal Translation
And the men of Israel have seen that they are distressed, that the people hath been oppressed, and the people hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the men of Israel saw that a strait to him, for the people were pressed; and the people will hide in caves, and in thorn-bushes, and in rocks, and in towers, and in pits.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And when the men of Israel saw that they were straitened, (for the people were distressed,) they hid themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in dens, and in pits.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when the men of Israel had seen themselves to be in a narrowed position, they hid themselves in caves, and in out of the way places, and in rocks, and in hollows, and in pits (for the people were distressed).

New American Bible
When the soldiers saw they were in danger because the army was hardpressed, they hid themselves in caves, thickets, rocks, caverns, and cisterns.

New Revised Standard Version
When the Israelites saw that they were in distress (for the troops were hard pressed), the people hid themselves in caves and in holes and in rocks and in tombs and in cisterns.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And when the men of Israel saw them, they were afraid; so they hid themselves in caves and in holes and in rocks and in clefts and in pits.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the men of Israel saw and they were afraid, and they hid themselves from them in caves and in tunnels and under precipices and in chasms and in pits

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait--for the people were distressed--then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in holds, and in pits.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait so that they could not draw nigh, and the people hid themselves in caves, and sheepfolds, and rocks, and ditches, and pits.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

War with the Philistines
…5Now the Philistines assembled to fight against Israel with three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven. 6Seeing that they were in danger because their troops were hard-pressed, the men of Israel hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in cellars and cisterns. 7Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan into the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul, however, remained at Gilgal, and all his troops were quaking in fear.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Judges 6:2
and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of the Midianites, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds.

Judges 10:8-9
who that very year harassed and oppressed the Israelites, and they did so for eighteen years to all the Israelites on the other side of the Jordan in Gilead, the land of the Amorites. / The Ammonites also crossed the Jordan to fight against Judah, Benjamin, and the house of Ephraim, and Israel was in deep distress.

1 Samuel 14:11
So the two of them showed themselves to the outpost of the Philistines, who exclaimed, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes in which they were hiding!”

1 Samuel 14:22
When all the Israelites who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they also joined the battle in close pursuit.

1 Samuel 23:19
Then the Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah south of Jeshimon?

1 Samuel 23:23
Observe and find out all the places where he hides. Then come back to me with certainty, and I will go with you. If he is in the land, I will search him out among all the clans of Judah.”

1 Samuel 24:3
Soon Saul came to the sheepfolds along the road, where there was a cave, and he went in to relieve himself. And David and his men were hiding in the recesses of the cave.

2 Samuel 17:9
Surely by now he is hiding in a cave or some other location. If some of your troops fall first, whoever hears of it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’

2 Kings 6:2
Please let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a log so we can build ourselves a place to live there.” “Go,” said Elisha.

Isaiah 2:19
Men will flee to caves in the rocks and holes in the ground, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth.

Isaiah 2:21
They will flee to caverns in the rocks and crevices in the cliffs, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth.

Jeremiah 16:16
But for now I will send for many fishermen, declares the LORD, and they will catch them. After that I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them down on every mountain and hill, even from the clefts of the rocks.

Jeremiah 48:28
Abandon the towns and settle among the rocks, O dwellers of Moab! Be like a dove that nests at the mouth of a cave.

Hebrews 11:38
The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and hid in caves and holes in the ground.

Matthew 24:16
then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

Treasury of Scripture

When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.

in a strait

Exodus 14:10-12
And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD…

Joshua 8:20
And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers.

Judges 10:9
Moreover the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight also against Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that Israel was sore distressed.

in caves

1 Samuel 14:11
And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.

1 Samuel 23:19
Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?

1 Samuel 24:3
And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.

Jump to Previous

Army Caves Cellars Cisterns Cliffs Cover Coverts Cracks Critical Danger Distressed Hard Hard-Pressed Hid Hide High Holds Holes Israel Oppressed Pits Places Pressed Rocks Situation Strait Straits Strongholds Themselves Thickets Tombs Troubled Woods

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1 Samuel 13

1. Saul's select band
3. He calls the Hebrews to Gilgal against the Philistines
5. The Philistines' great army
6. The distress of the Israelites
8. Saul, weary of staying for Samuel, sacrifices
11. Samuel reproves him
17. The three raiding parties of the Philistines
19. The policy of the Philistines, to allow no blacksmith in Israel

Berean Study Bible

When the men of Israel saw
This phrase sets the stage for the reaction of the Israelites. The Hebrew word for "saw" is "ra'ah," which implies not just a physical seeing but a perception or understanding of their dire situation. This perception is crucial as it reflects the Israelites' awareness of their vulnerability and the impending threat from the Philistines. Historically, this moment is a turning point, highlighting the Israelites' lack of faith and reliance on God, contrasting with earlier victories where divine intervention was evident.

that they were in trouble
The Hebrew word for "trouble" is "tsar," which conveys a sense of distress or adversity. This word is often used in the Old Testament to describe situations where God's people face significant challenges. The Israelites' trouble here is both physical, due to the military threat, and spiritual, as it reveals their wavering trust in God's protection. This moment serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and reliance on God, even in seemingly insurmountable circumstances.

because they were hard pressed
The phrase "hard pressed" comes from the Hebrew "nagas," meaning to be oppressed or under pressure. This term is often used in contexts of slavery or severe oppression, indicating the severity of the Israelites' situation. The Philistines' military superiority and strategic advantage created a tangible fear among the Israelites, leading to their desperate actions. This pressure tests their faith and commitment to God, illustrating the recurring biblical theme of trials refining and revealing true character.

they hid in caves, thickets, among the rocks
The act of hiding in "caves, thickets, among the rocks" reflects a natural human response to fear and danger. Caves and rocks were common hiding places in the ancient Near East, providing shelter and protection. This imagery evokes a sense of desperation and vulnerability, as the Israelites seek refuge in the natural landscape rather than in God. It serves as a metaphor for spiritual retreat, where instead of turning to God, they rely on their own means of escape.

and in cellars and cisterns
"Cellars and cisterns" were used for storage and water collection, respectively, in ancient Israel. Hiding in these places indicates the extent of the Israelites' fear, as they resort to hiding in places not meant for habitation. This action underscores their panic and lack of faith, as they prioritize immediate physical safety over spiritual trust. Theologically, this highlights the consequences of fear-driven decisions and the importance of seeking God's guidance in times of crisis.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(6) Saw that they were in a strait.--It was evidently no ordinary Philistine foray or invasion which the Israelites had to make head against. The tradition preserved by Josephus tells us that a host of foreign allies had joined the Ph?nician armies in this war. This accounts for the great numbers alluded to in the text: "People as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude" (1Samuel 13:5). The hearts of the as yet undisciplined Hebrews sank at the tidings of such an invasion. And in high places.--The word in the original Hebrew is not the same as the one usually rendered "high places" for prayer and sacrifice. The word here signifies towers. It is the same word which in Judges 9:46; Judges 9:49 is translated "a hold." In the Speaker's Commentary it is suggested that it was applied to a particular kind of tower which was the work of the old Canaanite inhabitants, and which remained as ruins in the time of Saul.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 6. - The people were distressed. Literally, were squeezed, pressed together, were in difficulties. The Philistines had so promptly answered Saul's challenge, that the Israelites, forgetting their victory over Nahash, whose men, however, had probably very inferior arms to those worn by the Philistines, lost courage; and even the picked band of 2000 men dwindled to 600. As for the mass of the people, they acted with the most abject cowardice, hiding themselves in caves, of which there are very many in the limestone ranges of Palestine. David subsequently found safety in them when hunted by Saul. Also in thickets. The word as spelt here occurs nowhere else, nor do the versions agree as to its meaning. Most probably it signifies clefts, rifts or fissures in the rocks. The next word, rocks, certainly means precipitous cliffs; and thickets or thorn bushes would scarcely be placed between caverns and cliffs, both of which belong to mountains. In high places. This word occurs elsewhere only in Judges 9:46, 49, where it is rendered hold. But this meaning is not supported by the ancient versions, and it more probably signifies a vault or crypt, which better suits the hiding place next mentioned, pits, i.e. tanks, artificial reservoirs for water, with which most districts were well supplied in Palestine, even before its conquest by Israel. They were absolutely necessary, as the rains fall only at stated periods, and the chalky soil will not hold water; when dry they would form fit places for concealment.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Seeing
רָאוּ֙ (rā·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7200: To see

that
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they were
ל֔וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

in danger
צַר־ (ṣar-)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6862: Narrow, a tight place, a pebble, an opponent

because
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

their troops
הָעָ֑ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

were hard-pressed,
נִגַּ֖שׂ (nig·gaś)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5065: To drive, to tax, harass, tyrannize

the men
וְאִ֨ישׁ (wə·’îš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

hid
וַיִּֽתְחַבְּא֣וּ (way·yiṯ·ḥab·bə·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2244: To withdraw, hide

in caves
בַּמְּעָר֤וֹת (bam·mə·‘ā·rō·wṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4631: A cavern

and thickets,
וּבַֽחֲוָחִים֙ (ū·ḇa·ḥă·wā·ḥîm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2336: Briar, bramble, hook, ring, fetter

among the rocks,
וּבַסְּלָעִ֔ים (ū·ḇas·sə·lā·‘îm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5553: A craggy rock

and in cellars
וּבַצְּרִחִ֖ים (ū·ḇaṣ·ṣə·ri·ḥîm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6877: Perhaps excavation, underground chamber

and cisterns.
וּבַבֹּרֽוֹת׃ (ū·ḇab·bō·rō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 953: A pit, cistern, well

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OT History: 1 Samuel 13:6 When the men of Israel saw that (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)